Strengthening the Family- Part 4 Traditions

Traditions are funny things. They creep up on you from nowhere and before you know it they are stuck to you like superglue....

I don't remember when my parents first lined us up on the stairs for pictures early Christmas morning but even now decades later despite the inevitable protest we all end up on the stairs squished closer together each year as the family grows to take our annual picture.

I doubt my in-laws knew when they first took their little kids to "our favorite lake" back in the 70's that their son would still be taking his family (as well as a menagerie of assorted family and friends) there every memorial day 30 years later.

Not all traditions are big but they all have meaning and lasting impact. Even as a grown man my husband still looks forward to the cinnamon rolls his mom makes for every Sunday morning General conference session.

More and more as I find my own little family starting traditions of our own I am beginning to see just how much a tradition is not just something a family does but something that makes a family.

What are your family traditions?

* My Blog Post Series "Strengthening the Family" is based on my personal thoughts from reading the book "25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them" by Randal A. Wright

Strengthening the Family- #3 Be at the Crossroads

I had one of those moms... You know the kind the one who wants to know exactly where your going, who with, when you'll be home. At the time I brushed it off being "overprotective" but now that I have a child of my own I am beginning to understand.

I appreciate now that she was up to look me in the eye when I came home at night- I never really considered drinking or any other "wild" teenage behavior but I can tell you that even if I had I quickly would have changed my mind knowing I would be kissing mom goodnight.

I appreciate that she was there for the little crossroads to- Like when I came home from school frustrated because of a teacher or an argument with a friend.

If we do not make a habit of "being there" for our children- they will be that much less likely to follow our guidance when it is given.

It is as the primary song says. Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me

* My Blog Post Series "Strengthening the Family" is based on my personal thoughts from reading the book "25 Mistakes Parents Make and How to Avoid Them" by Randal A. Wright

Things I swore I would never do....

BEFORE I had kids there were several things that I swore I would never do...

• Let my kids sleep in my bed
• Give them candy before they were 1
• Give them too many toys
• Let them watch TV
• Not make them sit in their highchair at dinner
• Give them pop

AFTER I had kids reality hit-

• Let my kids sleep in my bed- There is just something to be said for this sweet little person snuggled up next to you- and plus if your a paranoid parent like me and sure that the house could burst into flames at any given moment you don't have to worry about getting to their room through the raging inferno.
  
• Give them candy before they were 1- But how can you tell such a cute little face no? Although we ALWAYS do brush teeth!
  
• Give them too many toys- Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and a mom who has trouble avoiding the toy clearance isle need I say more.
• Let them watch TV- Nothing will get you an extra half an hour of rest better than propping up you little one in front of an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
  
• Not make them sit in their highchair at dinner- It's a nice thought... but easier said than done especially at the restaurant when the child LOUDLY protests- I mean really who wants to fight that in front of dozens of glaring eyes that silently yell - "I don't care what you do but just keep that kid quiet!
  
• Give them pop- We don't drink pop much at our house other than the rare occasion so this one isn't too hard... Well for the most part - but there are times that call for desperate measures and if a pop keeps him still for grandma the world won't end!

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Laundry: The gift that keeps on giving.

Lets face it out of all the household chores laundry is the only one that is never done- it's the chore that keeps on giving; even from the second that you put away that last clean dishtowel or hang that last shirt, the very clothes you are wearing are well on their way to starting your next batch of dirty clothes.

Despite the never ending piles I don't mind doing laundry, there is just something soothing about pulling a batch of warm towels out of the drier that are so soft and clean and folding them in a tidy little pile. Growing up I always begged my siblings to switch me chores so I could do the laundry... after all who wants to weed a garden or wash dishes when they could be having a great time mating socks?

OK so it wasn't exactly fun per Se' but it was almost always the lesser evil.....

Lately I have been reading a lot about homemade laundry out in bloggy-land including some really brave talented ladies who actually make/use it. After one of my oh-so-favorite bloggers, Mrs. Mordecai of Be It Ever So Humble, shared her very own homemade laundry soap recipe I have been toying with the idea of trying a batch myself.

OK so it was a fleeting thought I am a Mountain Fresh Tide addict.....

Although I have yet to attempt whipping up a batch of fluffy pink laundry soap myself I find the whole concept very intriguing and honestly probably something a smart frugal person should at least give a try. But I am afraid I would too dearly miss my favorite orange bottle of liquid laundry suds..... and besides without it what containers would I use to fill with water to add to my storage?

$20 Giftcard Giveaway

That's right everyone I am giving away a $20 Gift Card to the store of your choice (as long as I can purchase it locally or online) There is however one little catch.... I entered a contest for the "messiest" craft room and I need your vote to win!! And If I do win I'll even give away two more gift certificate each for $10!!

For details on how to enter my give-oh-way check out my scrapbook blog Audra's Little Scraps

If you just love me and want to vote you can do so Once a Day per Computer until April 22nd at The Original Scrap Box . I am #11 (I have a blue tote in the left hand picture and a stereo speaker and stacked spools of ribbon in the right hand picture) It is really easy - You don't have to register or anything just click on the check mark next to my pictures.

So go vote on your computer- your husbands computer- your laptop- anywhere you can!!!